Chaplain Training in Evidence-Based Practices to Promote Mental Health and Improve Care for Suicidality in Veterans and Service Members. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wortmann, Jennifer H.; Nieuwsma, Jason A.; Cantrell, William; Fernandez, Paola; Smigelsky, Melissa; Meador, Keith
• Is Part Of: Archives of suicide research. Volume 27:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Chaplain training -- suicidality -- evidence-based practice -- mental health -- veteran -- service member; Suicide -- Periodicals; 179.7
• DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2021.1972884
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1381-1118

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Chaplains are key care providers in a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, which is a priority area for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD). In a cohort of 87 VA and military chaplains who completed the Mental Health Integration for Chaplain Services (MHICS) training–an intensive, specialty education in evidence-based psychosocial and collaborative approaches to mental health care–we assessed chaplains' self-perceptions, intervention behaviors, and use of evidence-based practices, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Problem-Solving Therapy (PST), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), in providing care for suicidality. Method: Chaplains responded to a battery of items Pre- and Post-training and provided deidentified case examples describing their use of evidence-based practices in spiritual care for service members and veterans (SM/V) on various levels of a suicide prevention continuum. Results: Post-training, chaplains reported increased abilities to provide care and mobilize collaborative resources. Over the course of MHICS, 87% of chaplains used one or more evidence-based practices with a SM/V at risk for suicide or acutely suicidal. Fifty-six percent of chaplains reported intervening with an acutely suicidal SM/V by using principles from ACT, 36% PST, and 48% MI. With persons at risk for suicide, 81% used principles from ACT, 66% PST, and 71% MI. Cases exemplified diverse evidence-based practice applications. Conclusions: Findings indicate chaplains trained in evidence-based practices report effective application in caring for SM/V who are suicidal, thus offering a valuable resource to meet needs in a priority area for VA and DoD. HIGHLIGHTS: Chaplains provide essential care for SM/V who are at risk for suicide or acutely suicidal Training helps chaplains mobilize interdisciplinary and community resources in suicide care Evidence-based practices can effectively integrate within the scope of chaplaincy practice for suicide care